Nozzle construction



Oct. 12, 1965 J. A. MEHR ETAL NOZZLE CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJune 25, 1 62 m M mm N R M u w m MM 0. JJ Y B ATTORNEY Oct. 12, 1965 JMEI-IR ETAL 3,211,213

NOZZLE CONSTRUCTION Filed June 25, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 4INVENTORS. JOHN A. MEHR. J. MICHAEL BRENNAN.

ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,211,218 NOZZLE CONSTRUCTION John A. Mehr,Liverpool, and J. Michael Brennan, East Syracuse, N.Y., assignors toCarrier Corporation, Syracuse, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware FiledJune 25, 1962, Ser. No. 205,002 3 Claims. (Cl. 165-123) This inventionrelates to an air conditioning unit and, more particularly, an airconditioning apparatus of the induction type having improved air nozzleconstruction and to a method of making the same.

Induction type air conditioning units serve to mix primary air from acentral station with secondary air induced from the area being treatedand to discharge the mixture into the area to be conditioned The inducedsecondary air is passed through a heat exchanger which may con ditionthe air as required. The induction type unit relies on the discharge ofprimary air through a nozzle at a velocity suflicient to inducesecondary air into the unit through the heat exchanger for mixture withthe primary air. The mixture of primary and secondary air is dischargedinto the area to condition the area.

The induction unit air nozzle may be formed from two parallel spacedplates, the spaced facing sides of the plates being suitably shaped toform the nozzle per se. In the interest of simplicity and economy, thenozzle plates may be made of sheet metal stampings secured within theinduction unit casing by suitable means, such as by welding or metalscrews. This construction, while relatively simple and economical, oftenpresents an assembly problem in obtaining an accurate nozzle orificesize throughout the length of the nozzle. The stamped sheet metal nozzlepieces are subject to warping and bending during installation, in partcaused by welding or screw attaching. Further, the unit casing to whichthe nozzle pieces are attached is of sheet metal construction, itselfsubject to similar warping and bending during assembly. The problem isfurther augmented by the extreme length of the nozzles, in some casesover four feet.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to providean air conditioning unit of the induction type having an improved nozzleconstruction and a method of making the same.

It is a further object to provide a primary air nozzle construction foran induction type air conditioner utilizing a rigid adjustable spacereffective to maintain selected nozzle orifice size without interferingwith the fiow of conditioned air through the nozzle.

A further object is to present a novel method of nozzle constructionwherein an adjustable spacing member is utilized to obtain andretainselected nozzle spacing. Other objects will be apparent from thefollowing disclosure.

The present invention relates to an induction type air conditioning unitincluding a plenum adapted to communicate with a source of primary air,an air nozzle communicating with the plenum, an inlet and an-outletcommunicating the unit and the area to be conditioned, a heat exchanger,the primary air discharging from the nozzle toinduce secondary airthrough the inlet and the heat exchanger for mixture and discharge withthe primary air through the outlet into the area to be conditioned, thenozzle comprising first and second elongated spaced parallel plates, aspacer adapted to interconnect the first and second spaced platesintermediate the ends thereof, the spacer having one end hooked forinsertion into a cooperating hole in the first nozzle plate, theopposite end of the spacer being looped for cooperation with fasteningmeans on the second nozzle plate whereby the "ice spacer may be fixedlyattached to the first and second nozzle plates to maintain selectednozzle width.

The present invention further relates to a method of forming a slot-likenozzle for a plenum chamber of an induction type air conditioning unit,the steps which consist of fixing a first elongated nozzle member inplace in the air conditioning unit, placing a second elongated nozzlemember parallel to the first elongated member'in the air conditioningunit, moving the second nozzle member toward the first nozzle member toestablish a predetermined nozzle width between the nozzle members,locking the second nozzle member in position, establishing thepredetermined nozzle width at a point between the ends of the nozzlemembers, forcing the first nozzle member toward the locked second nozzlemember at said point, and attaching a spacer to each of the nozzlemembers at said point to maintain predetermined nozzle width.

The attached drawings illustrate a preferred embodi ment of theinvention, in which FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of an induction typeair conditioning unit;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IL-II of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIGURE 2;and

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the spacing member.

Referring to the drawings, an induction type air conditioning unit isshown which includes a base unit 1 and casing 4. Base unit 1 consists ofa base 2, sides 3, rear wall 5, front wall 6 and stack 19. Casing 4includes a front panel 10 and an adjoining top panel 11 attached to thefront wall 6 and the stack 19 respectively of the base' unit 1 bysuitable means (not shown). Front and top panels 10, 11 are providedwith louvered openings 13, 14 respectively. The exterior of the casing 4is of suita-' ble decorative design and finish.

The air conditioning unit illustrated is adapted to be furred into awall or other structure, the exterior of the front and top panels 10 and11 of the casing 4 being exposed to view. It is understood that shouldother portions of the base unit 1 be exposed to view, for example, wherethe unit 1 abuts a wall or other structure so as to protrude therefromadditional exteriorly finished casing panels adapted tocooperate withthe front and top panels 10 and 11 to enclose the sides 3 of the baseunit 1 are contemplated.

The base unit 1 includes a plenum chamber 7 and an upper chamber 8. Airnozzle 15 communicates plenum chamber 7 withchamber 8. Where a singleair conditioning unit is contemplated, an opening 9 is provided in oneof the sides 3 or the base 2 of the base unit 1 to communicate theplenum chamber 7 with a source of conditioned primary air. Where pluralair conditioning units are contemplated, it is understood that each baseunit 1 may be individually connected with a source of conditionedprimary air. Alternately, the plural base units may be connected inseries fashion by providing an opening 9 in each of the sides 3 of eachof the plural units of the series except the last unit which is providedwith an opening 9 in only one of the sides 3. Primary conditioned airfrom either the central station or an adjacent unit in the system entersone of the openings 9 of the base unit and a portion of the primary airdischarges from the other opening 9 of the base unit for transmittal tothe next adjacent unit. Since the last unit terminates the series, asingle opening permitting entry of primary air into the unit isrequired. The plenum chamber 7 is provided with an adjustable damper 12which serves to provide even distribution of primary air across airnozzle 15. It is understood that adjustment :of damper 12 servesto varythe static pressure at nozzle 15.

Louvered opening 13 in front panel communicates upper chamber 8 with thearea to be conditioned, for example, a room. A heat exchanger 18 isattached to the base unit 1 adjacent the louvered opening 13. Heatexchanger 18 is adapted to circulate a suitable conditioning medium, forexample, steam, hot or cold water, whereby secondary air induced throughthe heat exchanger 18 into the upper chamber 8 may be conditioned.

Primary conditioned air from a central station (not shown) enters plenumchamber 7 by means of one or the other of inlets 9. The primaryconditioned air flows from plenum chamber 7 through damper 12 and nozzleinto upper chamber 8. Flow through nozzle 15 induces a secondary flow ofair through louvered opening 13 and heat exchanger 18 into the upperchamber 8 wherein the primary conditioned air and the secondary air mix.The discharge stack 1-9 in the base unit 1 communicates the upperchamber 8 with louvered opening 14 in top panel 11 whereby the mixedprimary and secondary air are discharged into the area to beconditioned, the discharge velocity of primary air from nozzle 15 beingsufficient to carry the conditioned mixture into the area.

Nozzle 15 is composed of two parallel spaced members 27, 28 extendingbetween the sides 3 of the base unit 1. Member 27 includes a suitablyformed nozzle side 27' and may be designated the front or first nozzlemember. Member 27 is attached at the base thereof to the front wall 6 ofbase unit 1 and at the opposite edges thereof to the sides 3 of the baseunit 1 by suitable means, such as screws 35. Member 28 includes asuitably formed nozzle side 28' and may be designated the rear or secondnozzle member. An elongated rear nozzle member support is attached tothe sides 3 of the base unit 1 and to the inside of the rear wall 5 bysuitable means such as welds. Suitable insulation 29 is provided on theinside surface of the front nozzle member 27 and the rear nozzle membersupport 25. The insulation 29 may also be provided on the inside surfaceof the rear and front walls 5, 6 of the base unit 1 in the nozzle area.

Rear nozzle member 28 is mounted on support 25 for limited slidablemovement in a direction perpendicular to the rear wall 5. Rear nozzlemember 28 is provided with a plurality of spaced parallel slots '30throughout its length. Screws 31, attached to support 25, are insortedin the slots. The cooperating slots and screws 31), 31 serve to limitsliding movement of rear nozzle member 28. Screws 31 also serve tofixedly secure the rear nozzle member 28 in adjusted position.

Front nozzle member 27 is provided with a hole 32 intermediate the endsthereof. A slot and screw 31' in rear nozzle member 28 and nozzlesupport member 25 respectively are directly opposite hole 32.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings, a spacingmember 48 is shown. While spacing member is illustrated as round, it isunderstood that other cross-sectional configurations, for example,rectangular, are contemplated. Spacing member 40 is curved at 43 throughan arc of 180 whereby a portion of the member 40 including the end 42extends parallel to the central section 41. A portion 46 of the member40 including the opposite end 47 extends perpendicular to the planeincluding center section 41 and looped end 42. The end 47 thereofextends perpendicular to section 46 in the plane of section 46 to form ahooked end. The hooked and looped ends 47 and 42 respectively of themember 40 are adapted to cooperate with hole 32 in front nozzle member27 and screw 30' in rear nozzle support member 25 in a manner to beexplained to establish and maintain correct nozzle width.

In assembly, the base of front nozzle member 27 is attached to the frontwall 6 and the opposite end thereof attached to the sides 3 of the baseunit 1 by suitable means, for example, screws 35. Rear nozzle member 28is positioned for slidable movement on nozzle support 25, slidablemovement thereof being limited by the aforementioned cooperating slotsand screws 30, 31. A suitable measuring means, for example, a gaugeblock (not shown), is used to set the nozzle width. The nozzle side 27'of the front nozzle member 27 at the opposite ends thereof is used as areference point in setting nozzle width. As noted heretofore, the frontnozzle member opposite ends and base are rigidly attached to the baseunit 1. The nozzle side 28' of rear nozzle member 28 is thereafteradjusted to the desired nozzle width, slots 30 permitting slidablemovement thereof. Screws 31 are tightened to lock rear nozzle member 28in the adjusted position.

It is understood that hooked end 47 of spacing member 48 is in hole 32of front member 27 and looped end 42 slidably rests on rear nozzlemember 28 under screw 31'. To insure uniform nozzle width throughout thelength of the nozzle, rear nozzle member 28, now fixed in position byscrews 31, is used as 21 reference point to set nozzle width. The nozzleWidth is established from the nozzle side 28 of member 28 at a pointintermediate the ends thereof by suitable measuring means, for example,the aforementioned gauge block. The upper portion of member 27 is forcedeither inwardly or outwardly as required until the nozzle edge 27intermediate the ends thereof corresponds to the desired nozzle wi-dthestablished from a point intermediate the ends of member 28.

It is understood that the spacing member 40, the hooked end 47 of whichis disposed in hole 32 of nozzle member 27, moves with nozzle member 27.Upon the establishment of the desired nozzle width at the pointintermediate the ends of the nozzle members 27, 28, screw 31 istightened to lock the looped end 42 of spacing member 40 to nozzlemember 28. The spacing member 40, securely attached to each of thespaced nozzle members 27, 28, thereafter serves to maintain theestablished nozzle width.

While we have described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it willbe understood that the invention is not limited thereto since it may beotherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In an air conditioning unit the combination of a plenum chamber,discharge means connected to the plenum chamber, a heat exchanger,discharge of primary air through said discharge means inducing secondaryair from an area being treated through the heat exchanger, the mixtureof primary and secondary air being discharged into the area beingtreated, said discharge means comprising a slot-1ike nozzle extendingsubstantially the length of the plenum chamber, said nozzle including afirst member fixed in position forming a Wall of the nozzle, a secondmember forming the opposite wall of the nozzle mounted for limitedmovement toward and from the first member, locking means for securingthe second member in desired position, and a spacer intermediate theends of said members attached to both members, said spacer including astraight central portion, one end of said spacer extending parallel tosaid straight portion to form a loop, the opposite end of said spacerextending in a plane perpendicular to the plane including said centralportion and said looped end to form a hook end, said spacer endscooperating with said first and second members to maintain the desirednozzle width intermediate the ends of said members.

2. An air conditioning unit according to claim 1, in which said firstmember has a hole intermediate the ends thereof adapted to receive saidspacer hooked end, and second locking means are provided on said secondmember opposite said hole adapted to receive said spacer looped end.

3. In an air conditioning unit the combination of a plenum chamber, aprimary air inlet communicating said.

plenum chamber with a source of conditioned air, a second chamber, anozzle communicating said plenum chamher and said second chamber, anadjustable damper between said nozzle and said plenum chamber, asecondary air inlet communicating said second chamber with the area tobe conditioned, a heat exchanger in said secondary air inlet, an outletcommunicating said second chamber with the area to be conditioned,primary air passing from said plenum chamber through said damper andnozzle to induce secondary room air through said secondary air inlet-for mixture with said primary air, the mixture discharging through saidoutlet to the area to be conditioned, said nozzle comprising first andsecond elongated nozzle members, said first nozzle member being fixed,said second nozzle member being mounted for limited movement in adirection perpendicular to said first nozzle member, first locking meansfor fixing said second nozzle member in selected position, said firstnozzle member having a hole intermediate the ends thereof, secondlocking means on said second nozzle member opposite said hole, a rigidspacer having a straight central portion, one end of said spacerextending parallel to said straight portion to form a loop, the oppositeend of said spacer extending in a plane perpendicular to the planeincluding said central portion and said looped end to form a hooked end,said hooked end of said spacer being adapted to enter said hole and saidlooped end of said spacer cooperating with said second locking meanswhereby said spacer is rigidly attached to said first and second nozzlemembers to maintain nozzle spacing therebetween.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT A. OLEARY,Primary Examiner.

CHARLES SUKALO, Examiner.

1. IN AN AIR CONDITIONING UNIT THE COMBINATION OF A PLENUM CHAMBER,DISCHARGE MEANS CONNECTED TO THE PLENUM CHAMBER, A HEAT EXCHANGER,DISCHARGE OF PRIMARY AIR THROUGH SAID DISCHARGE MEANS INDUCING SECONDARYAIR FROM AN AREA BEING TREATED THROUGH THE HEAT EXCHANGER, THE MIXTUREOF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY AIR BEING DISCHARGED INTO THE AREA BEINGTREATED, SAID DISCHARGE MEANS COMPRISING A SLOT-LIKE NOZZLE EXTENDINGSUBSTANTIALLY THE LENGTH OF THE PLENUM CHAMBER, SAID NOZLE INCLUDING AFIRST MEMBER FIXED IN POSITION FORMING A WALL OF THE NOZZLE, A SECONDMEMBER FORMING THE OPPOSITE WALL OF THE NOZZLE MOUNTED FOR LIMITEDMOVEMENT TOWARD AND FROM THE FIRST MEMBER, LOCKING MEANS FOR SECURINGTHE SECOND MEMBER IN DESIRED POSITION, AND A SPACER INTERMEDIATE THEENDS OF SAID MEMBERS ATTACHED TO BOTH MEMBERS, SAID SPACER INCLUDING ASTRAIGHT CENTRAL PORTION, ONE END OF SAID SPACER EXTENDING PARALLEL TOSAID STRAIGHT PORTION TO FORM A LOOP, THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID SPACEREXTENDING IN A PLANE PERPENDICULAR TO THE PLANE INCLUDING SAID CENTRALPORTION OF SAID LOOPED END TO FORM A HOOK END, SAID SPACER ENDSCOOPERATING WITH SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS TO MAINTAIN THE DESIREDNOZZLE WIDTH INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF SAID MEMBERS.